While its rollout has been slow, the vaccine is being administered across the U.S. and in other countries. As of January 15, 2021, nearly 36 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, just over 11 million in the U.S. For a variety of reasons, organizations want to know whether their workforce members
DOL Field Assistance Bulletins Clarify Telehealth and Telework Impact on FMLA Obligations
On December 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued two field assistance bulletins (“FABs”) aimed at clarifying obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) in light of the prevalence of telework and telehealth.
The first FAB (No. 2020-07), Electronic posting for purposes of the FLSA, FMLA, Section 14(c) of the FLSA
Mandatory COVID-19 Benefits Under Families First Coronavirus Response Act Have Ended, Now What?
In March 2020, when Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) with a sunset date of December 31, 2020, few anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic would be ongoing into 2021. Several similar state and local laws also sunset at the end of 2020. But the pandemic has not slowed, and requests for COVID-19-related leave
COVID-19 Leave Arrives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
On December 9, 2020, Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto signed a new ordinance granting COVID-19 Sick Time to certain employees working within the City.
Interaction with Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act
This ordinance supplements the Pittsburgh Paid Sick Days Act (“PSDA”), which took effect earlier this year in March. The ordinance also amends the PSDA by expressly
Has the COVID-19 14-Day Quarantine Period Been Shortened?
By now, employers likely have heard the news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reduced the length of time that individuals should quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19. The old adage “Don’t believe everything you read” turns out to be true in this case. Although the CDC has stated that shortened
CDC Clarifies Critical Infrastructure Worker Guidance – Opportunities to Continue Working Potentially Narrowed After COVID-19 Exposures
On November 16, 2020, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) clarified its guidance permitting critical infrastructure workers to return to work before the end of the standard 14-day quarantine period following exposure to COVID-19. In this updated guidance, the CDC reiterated its standard recommendation that all individuals known to be exposed to a person
Michigan’s Patchwork of COVID-19 Laws & Orders For Employers
As previously reported, on October 2, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court invalidated post-April 30, 2020 Executive Orders that Governor Whitmer issued related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The opinion can be found here. As a result, a patchwork of laws and agency orders have stepped in to cover the gaps left by the invalidated Michigan
To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate… That Is The Question
As we enter flu season (in the midst of a national spike in COVID-19 cases), and it now appears that a COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, employers are struggling with whether they should require employees to be vaccinated for seasonal influenza and/or COVID-19 infection. After the year that many have had, there is a
Close Encounters of the (Cumulative) 15 Minute Kind
Just when you thought you had your contact tracing protocol down for dealing with COVID-19 exposures, CDC guidance has changed again.
The CDC has now expanded the definition of close contact to be “Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour
Philadelphia: Public Health Emergency Leave; Healthcare Worker Pandemic Pay, Benefits
Philadelphia workers who are not covered by federal sick leave laws, such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), are entitled to paid sick leave benefits under the new public health emergency leave bill (amending Chapter 9-4100 of the Philadelphia Code) signed by Mayor Jim Kenney. The new leave requirements remain in effect until